But the new feature of biking directions is not as useful if you can't take it with you. Right now I can't access the Google Maps directions for bikes feature on either my iPhone or a colleague's Android-based Motorola Droid.

Maybe I've just become spoiled by Google Maps for Mobile, but looking up directions beforehand has become a thing of the past when I drive or walk somewhere, because I can always just look up where to go on the fly. This comes in handy when plans change, or if I miss the exit on the highway and need to plot a new route. For biking, a mobile app lets you plot a new course if the one you planned seems too long, short, easy or strenuous.